DailyKos Embraces The Palin 'Fake Pregnancy' Rumor But Rejects The Edwards Story

Its the wackiest rumor about Sarah Palin or any other politician so far this election. It's making it's way all through the internet. And of course it came from DailyKos.

Let's hear from noted reporter ArcXIX, following up on story by the widely respected Inky99...

Well, Sarah, I'm calling you a liar. And not even a good one. Trig Paxson Van Palin is not your son. He is your grandson. The sooner you come forward with this revelation to the public, the better.

Daily Kos: Sarah Palin Is NOT The Mother [Photos+Video]

The whole story is based on an insulting view of fundamentalist Christians; that they'd be so freaked out by a teenage pregnancy that they'd have the Governor -- the most highly visible and public women in the small fishbowl of Alaska -- fake a pregnancy to cover up the sins her of daughter Bristol.

That diary got 'rec'd' -- voted as one of the 'Best Of' on DailyKos. The diary is uncited, breathless, and spins a story that's totally far-fetched. Without going through the whole hot mess point by point, I'll mention that no doctors, nurses, hospital workers or other patients have come forward to say anything was amiss. Plus, there's this picture.

The irony for me, of course, is that despite making over fifty short political videos with a clear progressive point of view, I was banned on DailyKos for saying that it seemed reasonable that John Edwards was seen at the Beverly Hilton late at night.

To be sure, some on DailyKos pointed up the numerous problems with the Palin story. But 'the community' in large part embraced it and it's part of a trend...

The election hasn't even been won yet and there's already a liberal hubris developing. Progressive standard bearers such as DailyKos and Keith Olbermann have been showing signs lately of a nasty tendency towards stifling dissenting opinions and promoting the sort of crazy rumors usually associated with the right then the reality based community.

It's not effective, it's not progressive, and it's not a good or accurate reflection on Barack Obama or the Democratic party.

Update 1: There's a weird pivot on this story. What started as 'she wasn't pregnant!' is morphing into Palin getting attacked for her choice (after talking to her doctor) to go back home to Alaska after her amniotic fluid began a small leak.

Two points. First, nothing bad happened - her judgment in this case worked out just fine. In fact, the baby had to be induced. Second, people LOVE to spout off about other women's birth choices.

Update 2: I have two other pieces ; one about the Bristol pregnancy announcement and another first hand statement that says Sarah Palin was definitely pregnant with Trig.

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Comments

[susanbay58]

What many of you may not realize, is that after a woman's water breaks, she has only so many hours to deliver without risking a strep infection that could kill the baby. I had a friend who's water broke, her actual doctor was out of town, and his fill-in told her she had plenty of time and to wait until contractions were much closer together. She did, and he child lived only a day, he died of strep infection. Only 25% of women actually have their waters break before going into labor. Any obstetrician will back up my facts. She took an incredible risk over many hours with a child she already knew had special needs. To me this speaks volumes about Sarah Palin's judgement. If she is this careless with a life she created, how could we expect her to be more careful with us, the American people.

[stevensjohn26]

Not true of a "leak". My wife had a leakage, if you will, and went a few days until she was induced. Baby was fine, no issues.

[Knowitall]

That's wonderful, but everyone is different. I had a "leak" and my baby was born an hour later. She took a big risk with her and her baby's life, and any woman who has gone through it knows that.

[Tommygun264]

Edwards is not in office, nor was he seeking office when the facts came to light. Palin on the other hand has just been tapped for VP. The difference is clear.

[zull2]

There have been FAR wackier theories during this election and primary. The "closet terrorist" theory was easily the wackiest theory I've ever seen in my entire life...it's like Drudge got that straight from a meth-addled caller to Art Bell and plastered it all over his webpage, then sent it on to the Clinton campaign.

It IS suspicious, though, when you have a mother who is a firm anti-abortionist, even in the cases of rape and incest, a daughter who takes several months off from school because of mononucleosis, the mother isn't even showing a pregnancy at several months...then suddenly a baby is born with problems. She really should cough up some more evidence to back up her story because nothing about that sounds right to most people if you put that kind of evidence together that simply.

[nowRnever]

Still can't let the Edwards' thing go, can you? I'll say it again: God you are obsessed!

[Citizenofreality]

I think that your banning from Daily Kos was not a fair outcome. But your characterization of the community by in large embracing this is not true. Daily Kos has over 170,000 members the number of people who responded to the diaries of which you speak were a small percentage of that membership and many of those responding asked for the diaries to be deleted.

[billieo2]

too bad obama has done nothing that has amounted to any success. now he wants to be ceo of the usa??? palin has done more work and less campaigning than obama has by a long shot. what is obama's resume' ? failed public housing advocate, rezco partner, and he still hangs out with ayers. I was voting libertarian to make a statement but now that this clown is a candidate I will vote straight republican.

[Malacandra]

A couple of points:

First of all, a diary by one of the tens of thousands of people with accounts on Daily Kos does not speak for the site or its community. Anyone can get an account, and post a diary.

Secondly, this story was floating around the Alaska GOP long before it surfaced on the Daily Kos.

[GregbeingFrank]

Question: Which Presidential Candidate do you think the enemies of the U.S. want as President? - Greg ---http://us.imdb.com/name/nm2734923/

[GregbeingFrank]

Could there be :::gasp::::: media bias with DailyKos towards a particular candidate? lolol Question: Which Presidential Candidate do you think the enemies of the U.S. want as President? - Greg ---http://us.imdb.com/name/nm2734923/

[GregbeingFrank]

Maybe DailyKos is tweaked that they didn't break the story first.. or maybe...:::gasp:::: media bias towards a particular candidate? lol....Question: Which Presidential Candidate do you think the enemies of the U.S. want as President? - Greg ---http://us.imdb.com/name/nm2734923/

[Knowitall]

Ok, we give up. Who??? gasp....LOL....I'm to weary to check your link........

[SouthernExposure]

John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin is shaping up to be an INSULT to America. How in the world can he begin to suggest Palin is THE most qualified person to assume the presidency should the worst happen to him? This pick flies in the face of McCain's proclamations of 'America First' and is a purely selfish and desperate choice that reveals a shallowness you should not expect from a veteran senator. If he really wanted a woman on the ticket, there are numerous candidates who would be better choices. America should be really concerned.

[Marshall Lucky]

Lee Stranahan, concern trolling is soooooo five years ago.

[purplefishies]

You hit the nail right on the head but weren't bright enough to realize it when you said

"Second, people LOVE to spout off about other women's birth choices."

YES, that's the point. We on the left don't care, but we find it incredibly hypocritical when these right to lifer types tell us that abortion should be illegal, that condoms and morning after pills are a form of abortion and that it should be legal for pharmacists to deny services ( ie open bigotry and discrimination ) to patients because it doesn't go with their belief system, all while they are doing under handed things like this.

[AustinCynic]

Is it "spouting off" when the Palins themselves put this story out there? Is it "spouting off" to point out what she did was monumentally stupid and dangerous, and "just because it turned out alright" to let it pass?

If Sarah Palin was someone I knew at church, or a neighbor down the street, then yes, I'd say it was her business. She is not, she wants to be my vice president. Thus her judgement in the area that is of utmost importance (her child's health) is abysmal. I don't want this woman a heartbeat away from the presidency and really Alaska doesn't even seem far enough from power for her.

[Alecki]

To all Clinton Democrats that have felt cheated:


This primary has revealed DNC "leadership" to be corrupt, mean-spirited, and lacking respect for basic democratic principles. They have completely and effectively ceded the moral high ground to Republicans at this point.

1. We have seen the race card played, with assistance from both Dean and Brazile.
2. We have seen rampant sexism with no objection by the DNC.
3. We have seen the superdelegates endorse as quid-pro-quo for campaign contributions.
4. We have seen arm-twisting of the congressional delegates by "neutral" Nancy Pelosi to declare for Obama.
5. We have seen an unabashed ageism campaign against John McCain, calling him "confused", and that he has "lost his bearings".
6. We've seen a softening of support for the gay and lesbian community.
7. We've seen caucus cheating.
8. We've seen intimidation of Hillary supporters, hack attacks and coordinated threats against voters and media that dare to dissent.
9. We've seen manipulation of the party nominating system and media to favor one candidate over another and the outright redistribution of votes cast for one Hillary and given to Obama.
This is now a democratic party in name only.


Thank God for McCain's choice....­..........

[doctorwang]

yaaaaaaawwn.

[ella52]

1. Wow do you even know what you mean when you mention the race card?
2. Rampant sexism on the part of the media and the Republican party ; Hillary is a big girl and can take care of herself.
3. What the Fuh?
4. If that is arm twisting in your world, there must be cotton candy clouds too.
5. He is and he has.
6. Support for gay and lesbian issues is still there, just not at the top of the DNC agenda with oil, wars and global climate change...unlike the repugs who have banning gay unions at the top of the platform
7. Seriously, forgotten Florida and the US Supreme court's actions in 2000 already?
8. Intimidation... this is just too weird, can't address
9Blah, blah blah.

[Roomer]

update the story lee. Bristol IS pregnant.
there was smoke. but there were TWO fires...
Let's get to the issues. But McCain's FIRST statement comes out and tries to say that these rumors appeared on sites with Obama;s name on them... they set this trap!

DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY politics

[SUNRAI]

Well Palin FINALLY admits that her daughter is preggo!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/01/palin-my-daughter-is-preg_n_122947.html

[foxfan]

Sounds like you are saying she is pregnant with the child she already had according to Daily Kos. I don't think that can happen. She is pregnant now and the family has admitted it. Doesn't sound like there is really any story hear.

[Knowitall]

Wrong. There is a story here. This lady has been telling everybody else that there is something wrong with them wanting to educate their children about sex and its consequences, when she had a sexually active daughter in her house who is now going to have to marry the boy ( I assume) who impregnated her apparently at the age of 16 (statutory rape in my state.).

I think the wise and responsible thing for Sarah Palin to do now is to graciously decline the nomination at the convention this week because:

She has a newborn special needs baby (downs syndrome);
A son on the way to Iraq--a war she admits she knows little about;
A pregnant teenage daughter (new son-in-law and grandchild);
Three other children to raise (at least one younger daughter who will need her guidance);
A husband, who works too. there are already rumors about him. Will he, and the family want to move to Washington?;
She has no foreign or national economic policy knowledge or experience;
She has a job at home and is currently being investigated there.

These are just a few things we already know about her life. She should tend her business at home not embark on a journey that will take time and energy away from a family that needs her right now.

Go home be the governor and raise your children.

[Waltb31]

No, let her be officially nominated by the Republican party, the party of family values.